ovett was 101% racer, with a win-streak over 1500 never to be equalled
however, when coe came along & broke the wrs, ovett's was seen as 2nd best & was forced to chase the clock
wheating's team are no fools
you can't be a "pure racer" in this day & age even if you get all the golds going - look at kiprop - he's won the big gold & apart from berlin, hasn't really lost a 1500/mile in a coupla years, but he won't get "full" respect as his best is no better than about 3'31, & he won't do so until he puts a 3'29 next to his name ( albeit he can live off that 1'43.17 for a long time - can always claim that he is capable of 3'28 off that but can't get right race & it's a good claim )
in this day & age, you need the clockings as well as metalware